View Full Version : Reasons my dryer won't turn on after changing the cord?
shunge
Mar 9, 2012, 08:17 PM
I have a GE dryer. It worked perfect before I moved! The apartment I moved into had a 3 prong outlet so I changed the cord. The first cord I installed was no good (I'm assuming since the timer didn't work and there was no heat)so I got a new one. Now that the new cord is on the dryer won't even turn on, it doesn't even show any signs that it's even getting power. Is there anything else I can try I really just can't believe it would just die like that...
hkstroud
Mar 9, 2012, 08:36 PM
The first question is can your dryer be wired for a three wire cord? Do you have the installation manual?
shunge
Mar 9, 2012, 08:50 PM
Yes it was originally a 3 and I changed I to a 4 to work with the plug in my old apartment.
hkstroud
Mar 9, 2012, 09:22 PM
Then you must have not installed the 3 wire plug properly. Did you remove and discard a bonding strap between the neutral and ground when you installed the 4 wire cord?
drtom4444
Mar 11, 2012, 02:40 PM
On the back of your dryer you have a terminal block with L1, N (Neutral), and L2 plus another terminal (G) on body of dryer. There should have been a grounding strap connecting N to Ground. You put the hot wires to L1 and L2 which will have brass terminals on cord. The Neutral (N) MUST be connected for the drier to run, and N should be wired to ground, too. You can make a grounding strap or wire to connect Ground to Neutral. You had to have hooked the Neutral on plug to ground instead of to neutral on terminal block and this neutral supplies the neutral circuit to the switches that make the dryer run. Without it nothing will run.